September 29, 2007
Microsoft has started phasing in a slick new version of its Live Search service in a bid to gain ground on leading Internet search rivals Google and Yahoo. Microsoft's improved Live Search will be available throughout the USA in a week’s time. By the end of October it will be available globally. Live Search was demonstrated to invited guests in Mountain View, ...
Substantial investment by Microsoft to improve Live Search
by Lin FreestoneMicrosoft has started phasing in a slick new version of its Live Search service in a bid to gain ground on leading Internet search rivals Google and Yahoo. Microsoft's improved Live Search will be available throughout the USA in a week’s time. By the end of October it will be available globally. Live Search was demonstrated to invited guests in Mountain View, ...
Japanese ISP offers download of DVD-quality films
by Lin FreestoneIn Japan, standard internet connections are fast enough to deliver more than most people use. Average ADSL download speeds are in the region of 50Mbit/s, and fibre connections are often twice that speed. To take advantage of this bandwidth advantage, KDDI, a Japanese internet service provider, is offering DVD-quality films to download for the equivalent cost of £2.15. The offer is ...
September 28, 2007
A broadband network connecting public services across London has been officially launched. The London Public Services Network provides a secure way for public bodies, such as local authorities, central government and the NHS, to share data. The network will allow public-sector organisations to efficiently share information across organisational boundaries. London councils will also benefit from cost savings through shared services ...
London public sector broadband network launched
by Jan HarrisA broadband network connecting public services across London has been officially launched. The London Public Services Network provides a secure way for public bodies, such as local authorities, central government and the NHS, to share data. The network will allow public-sector organisations to efficiently share information across organisational boundaries. London councils will also benefit from cost savings through shared services ...
September 27, 2007
Communications regulator, Ofcom, has called on the telecoms industry to invest in next-generation networks to stop the UK falling behind Europe and the US. The regulator has launched a two-month consultation with the telecoms industry and the public, to gather ideas for the proposed high-speed network. The UK's current network is working at full capacity due to the increasing popularity ...
Ofcom pushes for high-speed network
by Jan HarrisCommunications regulator, Ofcom, has called on the telecoms industry to invest in next-generation networks to stop the UK falling behind Europe and the US. The regulator has launched a two-month consultation with the telecoms industry and the public, to gather ideas for the proposed high-speed network. The UK's current network is working at full capacity due to the increasing popularity ...
September 26, 2007
At the 2007 Wireless & Digital Cities Congress in Cannes, executives representing local government and technology providers from 53 countries and 107 cities across Europe will be discussing the future for municipal digital wireless networks. An independent survey conducted by conference organisers across Europe’s government and IT community has revealed a commitment to deploying local government wireless networks. Internal productivity issues and ...
European governments are deploying municipal wireless
by Lin FreestoneAt the 2007 Wireless & Digital Cities Congress in Cannes, executives representing local government and technology providers from 53 countries and 107 cities across Europe will be discussing the future for municipal digital wireless networks. An independent survey conducted by conference organisers across Europe’s government and IT community has revealed a commitment to deploying local government wireless networks. Internal productivity issues and ...
Internet censorship wave by government in China
by Lin FreestoneIt appears that the Chinese authorities are conducting an unusually harsh crackdown on the Internet, closing tens of thousands of websites that had allowed visitors to post their opinions. The current censorship campaign seems more indiscriminate than usual. It is speculated that the new wave of censorship could be linked to October's 17th Communist Party Congress, a key political gathering that ...
Sohonet upgrades London network
by Jan HarrisSohonet, which provides network services to global media companies, has selected technology from Foundry Networks Inc to help cope with increasing customer demand for high speed bandwidth. Foundry Networks Inc's NetIron MLX metro routers and FastIron Edge switch X (FESX) series switches will provide enhanced network performance, based on 10 gigabit Ethernet, to Sohonet's customers. Sohonet serves over 300 leading ...
September 25, 2007
Mobile Virtual Network Operator, Blyk, has announced its UK launch after months of delays. Blyk is an invitation-only MVNO. It aims to link brands and young consumers - sending adverts to mobile phones, while offering free phone calls and texts. Blyk gives advertisers direct access to the 16-24 year old market. The service can help advertisers create brand awareness, ...
Blyk ad-funded mobile network launched
by Jan HarrisMobile Virtual Network Operator, Blyk, has announced its UK launch after months of delays. Blyk is an invitation-only MVNO. It aims to link brands and young consumers - sending adverts to mobile phones, while offering free phone calls and texts. Blyk gives advertisers direct access to the 16-24 year old market. The service can help advertisers create brand awareness, ...
Partnerships needed for ISP growth in Africa
by Lin FreestoneAnalysts have indicated that Internet service providers in Africa will have to expand their horizons if they want to see continued growth. While Africa is seeing fast Internet uptake levels, poor telecoms infrastructure is hindering penetration rates even as the restrictive regulatory frameworks contain market growth. The main factors dampening uptake is the widespread poverty that makes Internet services unaffordable, ...
French operators form new telecoms association
by Lin FreestoneFrance's telecom and internet operators have created a joint industry association in advance of talks with the government and consumer groups. The new French telecoms federation will bring together existing industry bodies and its members will include leading operators like France Telecom, Vivendi's SFR, Bouygues unit Bouygues Telecom, Iliad and Neuf Cegetel. Talks have been organised by the government to take place ...
September 24, 2007
According to a report in the Guardian, Google could bid for wireless spectrum in the UK if Ofcom liberalises the 900MHz and 1,800MHz frequencies. The regulator is considering the possibility of liberalising the wireless spectrum to accelerate the roll-out of high-speed broadband across the UK. However it would also open up the UK market to rival wireless technologies such as ...
Google could bid for UK wireless spectrum
by Jan HarrisAccording to a report in the Guardian, Google could bid for wireless spectrum in the UK if Ofcom liberalises the 900MHz and 1,800MHz frequencies. The regulator is considering the possibility of liberalising the wireless spectrum to accelerate the roll-out of high-speed broadband across the UK. However it would also open up the UK market to rival wireless technologies such as ...
September 21, 2007
Nortel Networks' EMEA president, Darryl Edwards, called for the creation of a pan-European telecoms regulator this week, in an interview with total telecom www.totaltele.com. According to Edwards, not having a regulator to oversee Europe limits the development of hyperconnectivity, impedes competition and increases the cost of business. Edwards also claimed that some European operators were over-protective in providing network ...
Calls for pan-European telecoms regulator
by Jan HarrisNortel Networks' EMEA president, Darryl Edwards, called for the creation of a pan-European telecoms regulator this week, in an interview with total telecom www.totaltele.com. According to Edwards, not having a regulator to oversee Europe limits the development of hyperconnectivity, impedes competition and increases the cost of business. Edwards also claimed that some European operators were over-protective in providing network ...
September 20, 2007
Telecoms regulator, Ofcom, is to liberalise parts of the UK radio spectrum in order to accelerate mobile broadband usage. The plan could generate an additional £6 billion for the economy. Ofcom wants Vodafone Group and Telefonica O2 to give up part of the radio spectrum they currently use, so that Ofcam can auction it to other operators. In return, Vodafone and ...
Ofcom to allow 3G at 900Mhz
by Jan HarrisTelecoms regulator, Ofcom, is to liberalise parts of the UK radio spectrum in order to accelerate mobile broadband usage. The plan could generate an additional £6 billion for the economy. Ofcom wants Vodafone Group and Telefonica O2 to give up part of the radio spectrum they currently use, so that Ofcam can auction it to other operators. In return, Vodafone and ...
September 19, 2007
The minister for competitiveness, Stephen Timms, is calling for measures to accelerate the roll-out of next-generation broadband, to ensure the UK does not fall behind other countries in e-commerce and access to public services. Timms will announce plans for a high-level summit on the potential need for public sector intervention in broadband deployment. The minister will outline his plans in ...
Government pushes for speedier Broadband deployment in UK
by Jan HarrisThe minister for competitiveness, Stephen Timms, is calling for measures to accelerate the roll-out of next-generation broadband, to ensure the UK does not fall behind other countries in e-commerce and access to public services. Timms will announce plans for a high-level summit on the potential need for public sector intervention in broadband deployment. The minister will outline his plans in ...
September 18, 2007
The Universal Powerline Association, a trade association which promotes global standards in the Powerline communications market, has launched the Command and Control Working Group (CCWG). The group will develop specifications to ensure networking interoperability and coexistence for narrowband low-speed and broadband high-speed Powerline technologies. Powerline systems use electric power lines to carry radio signals for communication purposes. The UPA will be ...
UPA launches Command & Control Working Group
by Jan HarrisThe Universal Powerline Association, a trade association which promotes global standards in the Powerline communications market, has launched the Command and Control Working Group (CCWG). The group will develop specifications to ensure networking interoperability and coexistence for narrowband low-speed and broadband high-speed Powerline technologies. Powerline systems use electric power lines to carry radio signals for communication purposes. The UPA will be ...
September 13, 2007
A six year research programme into the safety of mobile phones has reported that from the evidence so far, using a mobile phone is not harmful to human health or biology. However most of this evidence relates only to short term use and further research is necessary to determine the effects of long term mobile phone usage. The UK Mobile ...
Mobile phones safe for short term use
by Jan HarrisA six year research programme into the safety of mobile phones has reported that from the evidence so far, using a mobile phone is not harmful to human health or biology. However most of this evidence relates only to short term use and further research is necessary to determine the effects of long term mobile phone usage. The UK Mobile ...
September 12, 2007
Media regulator Ofcom has launched a new review which will consider whether the internet and mobile phones can meet statutory requirements for public service broadcasting (PSB). Ofcom's first review of PSB, completed just two years ago, acknowledged that it could be difficult for commercial broadcasters to fulfil their public service obligations, with more channels emerging from a proliferation of platforms. The ...
Ofcom reviews public service broadcasting
by Jan HarrisMedia regulator Ofcom has launched a new review which will consider whether the internet and mobile phones can meet statutory requirements for public service broadcasting (PSB). Ofcom's first review of PSB, completed just two years ago, acknowledged that it could be difficult for commercial broadcasters to fulfil their public service obligations, with more channels emerging from a proliferation of platforms. The ...
September 11, 2007
BT has extended its Wireless Cities programme to Manchester, Belfast and the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bristol and London's City of Westminster are already included in the programme, which provides Wi-Fi connectivity in town centres. BT creates the Wi-Fi networks by installing a large number of access points on ...
Manchester, Belfast and Waltham named BT Wireless Cities
by Jan HarrisBT has extended its Wireless Cities programme to Manchester, Belfast and the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bristol and London's City of Westminster are already included in the programme, which provides Wi-Fi connectivity in town centres. BT creates the Wi-Fi networks by installing a large number of access points on ...
September 6, 2007
Sky has been working with network and hosting company Easynet, and technology provider Telent, to make Sky Broadband available to over 70% of households in the UK. Media company Sky launched its broadband service in 2006 and now has over 700,000 users. The service is available to most of Sky's television customers. Telent and Easynet have now completed a ...
Sky Broadband now available to 70% of UK homes
by Jan HarrisSky has been working with network and hosting company Easynet, and technology provider Telent, to make Sky Broadband available to over 70% of households in the UK. Media company Sky launched its broadband service in 2006 and now has over 700,000 users. The service is available to most of Sky's television customers. Telent and Easynet have now completed a ...
September 4, 2007
Mobile operators Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, 3 and O2 are now offering 'PayForIt', a payment service which allows customers to pay for goods and services via their mobile phone. The service is likely to be mainly used to buy mobile content such as ring tones and games, but could also be used to purchase low-value items such as train tickets and parking ...
Mobile operators launch PayForIt ‘digital wallet’
by Jan HarrisMobile operators Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, 3 and O2 are now offering 'PayForIt', a payment service which allows customers to pay for goods and services via their mobile phone. The service is likely to be mainly used to buy mobile content such as ring tones and games, but could also be used to purchase low-value items such as train tickets and parking ...
